negotiator, erin david miller. now, in that interview, hagel said this. "the jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here." now, today of that comment about the "jewish lobby," hagel said categorically, i regret it. >> i've already said i regret referencing the jewish lobby. i should have said pro-israel lobby. i think it's the only time on the record that i've ever said that. >> all right. well, earlier, i spoke with one senior lawmaker who was there, who opposes hagel's nomination. senator john barrasso of wyoming, the senate's fourth highest ranking republican, and i asked him whether that controversy over jewish versus israel lobby, it's finally time to put that to rest. >> well, i'll tell you, erin. i think that chuck hagel appeared weak and wobbly today, unconvincing, and not the kind of sound judgment and strong leadership you need in a secretary of defense. i've met with him privately, as well. the bottom line is, senators are not intimidated, as chuck hagel refers to, by any lobby. when the national interest of the united states is at stake, and specifically, our security, peop
